CAT.OP.MPA.165 Passenger seating

EMERGENCY EXIT SEATING The operator should make provisions so that:

(a)a passenger occupies a seat at least on each side in a seat row with direct access to an emergency exit (not staffed by a cabin crew member) during taxiing, take-off and landing unless this would be impracticable due to a low number of passengers or might negatively impact the mass and balance limitations.

(b)those passengers who are allocated seats that permit direct access to emergency exits appear to be reasonably fit, strong, and be able and willing to assist the rapid evacuation of the aircraft in an emergency after an appropriate briefing by the crew;

(c)in all cases, passengers who, because of their condition, might hinder other passengers during an evacuation or who might impede the crew in carrying out their duties, should not be allocated seats that permit direct access to emergency exits. If procedures cannot be reasonably implemented at the time of passenger ‘check-in’, the operator should establish an alternative procedure which ensures that the correct seat allocations will, in due course, be made.

ACCESS TO EMERGENCY EXITS The following categories of passengers are among those who should not be allocated to, or directed to, seats that permit direct access to emergency exits:

(a)passengers suffering from obvious physical or mental disability to the extent that they would have difficulty in moving quickly if asked to do so;

(b)passengers who are either substantially blind or substantially deaf to the extent that they might not readily assimilate printed or verbal instructions given;

(c)passengers who because of age or sickness are so frail that they have difficulty in moving quickly;

(d)passengers who are so obese that they would have difficulty in moving quickly or reaching and passing through the adjacent emergency exit;

(e)children (whether accompanied or not) and infants;

(f)deportees, inadmissible passengers or persons in custody; and

(g)passengers with animals.

DIRECT ACCESS ‘Direct access’ means a seat from which a passenger can proceed directly to the exit without entering an aisle or passing around an obstruction.

EMERGENCY EXIT SEATING When allocating a seat in a seat row with direct access to an emergency exit, the operator should consider at least the following:

(a)providing the passenger with the applicable emergency exit seating restrictions prior to boarding, or upon assigning a passenger to a seat, e.g. at the stage of booking, or check-in, or at the airport;

(b)utilising, as far as practicable, cabin crew members that are additional to the minimum required cabin crew complement, or positioning crew members, if available on board.